Chapter 8

I


"The what? Are you kidding, Kimber? Some group of malcontents are targeting Julia and her family?" David asked his daughter when she called to ask if he had heard of the American Republic Movement.

"It's not just Julia and her family, Dad," Kimber said; "it's Jere and Nik and their families, too."

"What on earth for?"

"Julia told me something about them, that they're a group who want to stage a second Occupation," Kimber said; "They sound crazy. Julia said as much."

"Like the first Occupation wasn't bad enough?" David said, puzzled. "Didn't they learn their lesson the first time around?"

"Apparently not, Dad," said Kimber with a sigh. "And Julia, Nik and Jere are meeting with the Director of the CIA today."

"What the hell does the CIA want with them?" asked David; "They're pretty much retired from the assassin game now."

"Julia seems to think that they want her and the guys to work for them," Kimber said; "but you didn't hear that from me."

"I'll do some digging and see if this group is active in Texas," said David; "If there was ever a home for homegrown nutjobs, it would be here or Oklahoma."

"Can you send me any info you can find about them?" Kimber asked; "Jere's planning an expose' on the group."

"Yeah, if I find anything," David promised his daughter. "Now, other than this cloak and dagger bullshit, Kimberlin, what's new?"

===

"Won't you have a seat?" The Director asked Julia, Nik and Jeremiah; "as I said, we have much to discuss."

After they were seated, Nik said, "Natasha sends her regards, Mr. Director."

"Ahh, and how is the lovely Ms. Vincent?" the Director asked.

"She's well," Nik said; "Her kids are doing well, and has taken my daughter Sandrina and our niece, Danica, in while they attend Georgetown University."

"Isn't Danica your niece, Jeremiah?" the Director asked;

"She's my biological niece," Jeremiah said; "but the three of us and my brother, Joe, who's Danica's father, were all raised together, so we consider each other's children as nieces and nephews."

"I see," said the Director; he paused and addressed Julia, "You've been quiet, Julia. I understand that you're doing a great job in your work for DHS."

"Until now, I had not been addressed, but since I have been," Julia said; "I enjoy my work for Homeland Security and I'm glad my superiors think I'm doing a good job."

"Good, good," the Director said;

"Begging the Director's pardon," Julia said, getting fed up with the Director's stalling tactics; "you did not have us fly back here to inquire about our general well being. With all due respect, sir, let's cut the bullshit and get down to why you wanted us to meet with you."

The Director raised his eyebrows at Julia's curt remark. She doesn't pull any punches, he thought; she's all business.

"The reason why I brought you three here is this," the Director began; "We've come in possession of information about a group of people who would like to attempt a second Occupation of this country, much like the one that the three you grew up during. They hold the same ideals, and have the same goals as the former Occupational government that was run by 'The Committee' and Sarah Kathryn Hope; We've been trying to stop certain individuals from recruiting new members, mostly those who grew up, as you did, during the Occupation, but sided with the Illegal government."

"What does this group hope to accomplish, other than trying to take over the government?" asked Jeremiah. He had his notepad out and was jotting down information.

"We don't think it will be much more than trying to get as many people out of their way as possible," said the Director. "People who 'turned' to the Resistance groups are their biggest targets right now. The bigger the person, say a politician or a military officer, the more this group wants to hold kangaroo courts and convict them of crimes real and imagined."

"What's the age range, education level, level of social skills, that these people possess?" asked Nik. "A lot of people our ages who were 'educated' in the Illegal government's version of public schooling barely have a high school diploma, much less the skills to deal with people whose educational level exceeds their own."

"Most people involved in this group are young, late teens to early twenties; there are some older people who were young adults during the Occupation and never really warmed to the current government," the Director said; "Many, as you've said, Nik, are barely educated, and many are those who have had troubles with authority."

"So what does all this have to do with us, Mr. Director?" Julia asked; "Because in the course of doing my job, I have come across some of these Second Occupation people, and they mean to do me, and my family, some kind of harm. I recently returned a firearm to the nightstand drawer in my bedroom for the first time in sixteen years because my fifteen year old daughter's life has been threatened."

"These people see you, and your brothers, as a threat to their cause," the Director said; "We are aware of the threats against your daughter, Julia, and we're trying to find the leader of this group. He or she call all the shots, and the followers carry out the orders. One of their standing orders is to kill you, Nik, and Jeremiah by any means possible. If that means luring you into a battle they hope to win, they'll do it."

Julia was starting to get angry. The fucker didn't answer my question!

"You didn't answer my question, Mr. Director," she said, letting her anger show slightly; "What does this group's goals have to do with us?"

"We need your expertise with firearms to eliminate members of this group so that their plans do not go forward," the Director said; "A second Occupation will mean our allies can no longer trust us to keep our own house in order."

"In short," Nik said; "You're asking us to work for you as snipers. Am I correct?"

"Yes, Nik, you are," the Director said; "I will make all three of you offers. Your skills are unmatched by anyone who currently works for us, including everyone who was trained by your sister. I'm not saying that Natasha wasn't a good instructor, but skills are learned and perfected; none of our snipers has those skills."

That's it! Julia thought, I've heard enough! She said, "Look, I have four kids and I'm their only parent. I can't go running around the country at your beck and call because YOU can't figure out how to get these group members yourselves. I already work for the government, so I know how it works. So you better think long and hard about what you're asking not only me, but Jeremiah and Nik, to do for you. Because right now, my answer is no."

Before the Director could object, Nik said, "My answer is also no.

"As is mine," said Jeremiah. "I don't know what your game is here, Mr. Director, but all three of us have families, and as Julia said, she's her children's only parent. What if something, God forbid, should happen to her? And what about the lives we've built since the Occupation ended? Are we not entitled to live our lives the way we see fit after everything we've done to get this government back in power? Why don't you figure out how to use the resources you already have before calling in ringers?"

"I still want to talk to you all individually," the Director said curtly. "Maybe if I explain what you would be doing for the Agency, it might make more sense to you."

"Fine," Nik said angrily; "You can talk to me and at me all you want, I think my answer's still going to be no. And don't even think of threatening to recall me to active duty. I've contacted the Department of Defense, and they'll back me up if you even try."

The Director sighed. He knew they would all decline on the first go round. Now that he wanted to talk to them individually, he'd use the information he'd gathered on each of them to get them to agree to work for the Agency for a brief time.

They all glared at him, and he returned their stares. It was a stand off, then Julia got up out her chair and made her way to the door saying, "If there's nothing else, Mr. Director, I have a family to get back to."

"Julia, I'd like to talk to you first," the Director said; "I think you'll like what I have to say."

Julia turned back around. "I seriously doubt that, Mr. Director, but I'll take a listen to you anyway. It's not like I have a choice in the matter, do I?"

"Not really, Julia," The Director said; "You'll stay here while Nik and Jeremiah return to the reception area to await their turns."

Nik and Jeremiah got up to leave the Director's office, and they went over to where Julia stood. "Be strong, sis," Nik said. "Unless he has damning intel on you, say no."

"Stick to your guns, Jules," added Jeremiah.

"I'll do my best, guys," she said.

Jeremiah and Nik then left the room, leaving Julia alone with the Director. She walked back to the chair she had been sitting in and took her seat.

"Okay, Mr. Director," she said, barely able to keep the sarcasm out of her voice, "Try and convince me to work for you."

The Director only smiled.

===
II


"Jordan!" David called out to his wife, "could you come here a minute?"

Jordan walked into David's office, expecting to see him working on his book. Instead of a manuscript on his computer screen, she saw the website for a group called the American Republic Movement.

"What's that?" she asked.

"It's the website of a group who espouses the ideals of the former Occupational government we fought so hard to defeat," David said; "Kimber asked me about it last night. I'd never heard of them, so I did some searching. Jordan, this group has threatened Julia and her family, and the families of Nik and Jeremiah as well. They have a chapter in Dallas. I'm thinking about going to go check it out."

"Why, David? You'll surely be recognized," Jordan said, concerned. "They've threatened Julia and her family, you said. Why? What has Julia or her family done to warrant such attention from this group?"

"As far as I can tell, Jord," David said; "Julia's only crime in their eyes is being Julia. They are knowledgeable about her accomplishments, and feel she's a detriment to their cause."

"But her family, too?" asked Jordan; "What the hell have her children done to deserve having their lives threatened?"

"Jord, I have no fucking idea what these people want," David said; "except to put us back into the past. I can't see fighting the leaders of another Occupation. That would be up to our current government to fight."

"Don't go check these losers out, David, please?" asked Jordan. "I can't bear the thought of losing you, any of our chilren or grandchildren. Fight with your pen, not with your life."

David had to admit to himself that Jordan had a point. He loved her, their children, and grandchildren more than life itself. He would never put that in jeopardy again. Once was enough.

===

"You were the SpineSplitter during the Occupation, Julia," the Director said; "You are the prize that these people want. I'm aware of the threats against your daughter. I feel they're using those threats to get your attention and draw you into a situation you cannot extract yourself from."

"Much like what you're doing now, isn't it, Mr. Director?" asked Julia. "You're going to offer me more money than I'm getting at Homeland Security; twenty-four/seven protection for my family; and a limited time contract to do what your in house snipers can do."

"Our snipers, as I mentioned before, don't have the kind of training you have, and that you're giving your children," the Director said. "You possess certain skills that not anyone has. The SpineSplitting technique, for example. Only you and one other person can do that. Unfortunately, that one other person is retired."

"I'm well aware of that, Mr. Director," Julia said; "and you'd really considered asking Jacob Ross to work for you? He's sixty years old, and damn lucky to have lived that long. If he could have taken his wife's place in death, he would have had no problem doing so."

"And, you're one of the most well known of the three of you," the Director said; "There will never be another female sniper; or male sniper for that matter, who could even come close to having your skillset. And yes, I am prepared to offer you more money than you're getting now."

"I'm not interested," said Julia.

"Protection for your family, including extended family," the Director said.

"No, Mr. Director," Julia said, having gotten up out of her chair and leaned over the Director's desk; "I cannot be bought, even by you. I'd just as soon work at DHS doing what I've been doing for the last three years than to haul out my arsenal of weapons to take care of your dirty work."

"You'd be doing your country a great service by agreeing to work for us on a temporary basis," the Director said; I'm not going to lose her, he thought; lose her and you'll lose the other two as well; "Your superiors at DHS will allow you to take a leave of absense to take this position."

Julia looked at the man like he'd lost his mind. Who the hell does he think he is, she thought, going to my superiors to get their okay for this farce?

"I don't know how many more times or any other way to say no, Mr. Director," Julia said, seething; "So I'll say this: go to hell!"

Julia then turned and walked to the door. Before she could get her hand on the doorknob to open the door, the Director said,

"Julia, does the name John Christopher Coltrane the Fourth ring any bells?"

FUCK! she thought, then turned around.

"I thought that might get your attention," the Director said; "Please, Julia, sit down."

Julia sat. What she was about to hear from the Director would shake her to her core.

===

"What's taking her so damn long?" Jeremiah wanted to know.

"Damned if I know, brother," said Nik; "It's taking too long. How long does it take for Julia to say no?"

"They've got something on her, I'll bet you anything," Jeremiah said. "Though I can't imagine what."

"Julia's life in an open book, and if there is anything she's hiding, then there must be a damn good reason why," said Nik.

"I don't like this whole scenario, Nik," Jeremiah said; "If CIA can find something on Julia, then what have they found on us? I don't know about you, but I do have something to hide. It's something that only Jasmine and I know."

"I don't want to know, Jere," Nik said; "Everyone's entitled to keep things private. I know that there are no secrets in combat, but whatever it is you feel you need to keep private, I'll respect that."

"Thanks, Nik," Jeremiah said. "I just wish Julia would come out of there. All I'll have to do is see her face to know what's going on."

Nik sighed; "I know what you mean."

===

"So, that name does ring a bell with you, doesn't it, Julia?"

"Why did you bring him up?" asked Julia.

"Because there are some things about him that we've found out that you probably already know," the Director said, taking perverse pleasure in watching this tough woman squirm.

"Such as?"

"Such as," said the Director, "we know he's still alive, and that he was relocated with the help of the Disturbed Ones Hit-n-Run team. We know where he lives, what name he's using, and," the Director paused, then said, "that he's the father of your oldest daughter. Isn't he, Julia?"

Julia was rarely left speechless, but only one question came to mind,

"How did you find out about that? Only three people knew about that!"

"And those three people are you, your late husband and Jack Coltrane?"

"Me, my daughter and my husband," Julia said.

"Coltrane doesn't know he has a child with you?" asked the Director. "Because I know one of your most recent field visits was to his new home in Wyoming."

"Three people still know, at least I thought so," Julia said; "and yes, Jack knows he fathered my daughter."

"I'm the only one who knows here about your little youthful indescretion," said the Director; "Did you really think you could keep that secret forever?"

"Yes, I really thought that," Julia said; "It was my business, my 'youthful indescretion' as you put it. I expected the worst when I told my husband, but he was accepting about it, given where I was for three plus months. He loved his daughter, and he and I decided to tell her what happened when she was old enough to understand."

"Does she want to meet her true father?" asked the Director.

"Her 'true' father is the one who raised her until he died when she was twelve," Julia said angrily. "Does she want to meet her biological father? Yes, she does. And he wants to meet her."

"Tell you what, Julia," the Director said; "I'll keep your secret if you agree to work for me. I know this sounds like black mail, but it will all work itself out. You get to keep your secret, and I get your services for a specific amount of time. I'd imagine your siblings, your parents, and your other children don't know about Mirielle's parentage, do they?"

Julia was angry, mostly at herself. He painted her in a corner, and he knew he got to her just by mentioning Jack's name. What choice do I have? she thought. It's either work for this slimy, underhanded man, or have my secret out there for the world to see. Exposing her relationship with Jack when she was eighteen would make her more of a target, she realized.

"If I agree to work for you as a sniper," Julia said; "it will only be for a set amount of time, and after that time, I'm free to go back to DHS and get on with the rest of my life?"

"Yes, Julia," the Director said; "When the time I have specified for you has ended, you may go back to DHS and carry on as before."

"And that timeframe is?"

"Two years," the Director said. "And that is non-negotiable."

Julia sighed. She felt trapped, but what choice did she have? She had to protect her family, and she wanted to protect Jack.

Damn! she thought; I'd give anything to find out how the CIA found out something only three people besides me knew.

And, she would find out.


===

"Lt. San Marco, the Director will see you now," the receptionist said.

"Where's Mrs. Summers?" asked Nik.

"She's speaking with a member of the Director's staff."

Oh, this can't be good, thought Nik as he followed the receptionist back to the Director's office.

"Nik, have a seat," the Director said as the receptionist left the office.

"Where's Julia?" he asked him.

"She's with a member of my staff," said the Director; "She'll be out in the reception area after I speak with you and Jeremiah."

"I've already told you that my answer is no, Mr. Director," Nik said; "so why am I still here?"

"I have information for you that not just anyone knows," the Director said; "I'm very surprised that I was able to gain possession of it."

"And this information is going to change my mind?" asked Nik.

"I believe it will."

Nik racked his brain trying to think of anything the Director could have found out about him, and came up with nothing.

"So this information is about what, exactly?"

"Your children," the Director said; "specificially your son Peter."

Nik perked up at the mention of his son's name and wondered what about Peter he could possibly know.

"What about Peter?" he asked cautiously.

"I understand that he was hit by a drunk driver on his bike some months back," said the Director; "he required a great deal of surgery, including a steel rod in his back. Am I right so far?"

"Yes, but I don't understand what Pete's accident has to do with why I'm here in your office," Nik said. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like what he heard.

"What if I told you that Peter's accident was deliberate? That someone wanted to purposely injure your son to get to you?" asked the Director.

Stunned, Nik couldn't fathom why anyone who purposely harm another human being, much less his own flesh and blood. "What do you mean, Peter's accident was deliberate? Who would do such a thing to a fifteen year old?"

"The group who wants you, Julia and Jeremiah out of their way so they can attempt to hijack the government," the Director said; "They're also stalking your daughter, and one of their members was arrested in Charlottesville trying to break into your oldest son's apartment back in May."

"All this just to get to me?" Nik asked; "What? They couldn't contact me themselves? That's just bullshit!"

"Let me tell you this, Nik," the Director said; "You have a unique opportunity to get back at the people responsible for your son's injuries. Wouldn't you like to find the driver responsible for nearly killing your son?"

"Of course I would!" Nik said; "What parent wouldn't?"

"Then let me offer you the same deal I offered Julia," the Director said; "Two years of your time working for us, after which you're free to go back to your regular life. No recall to active duty required."

"Doesn't sound like I have much of a choice, do I?" asked Nik. "Because I would do anything to find the motherfucker who damn near ruined Peter's life."

"Then we have a deal?"

Reluctantly, Nik said, "Yes, Director. We have a deal."

===

Jeremiah was nervous. Both Nik and Julia hadn't returned to the waiting area after their interviews, and he wondered what the hell was going on.

"Mr. Donovan? The Director will see you now?"

Once in the Directors office, he got straight to the point.

"Jeremiah, I am a big admirer of your work," the Director said; "And it was very hard to come up with something that would discredit you as far as your journalism career was concerned. Two Pulitzers, four AP awards, eight reporter of the year awards? Impressive work."

"What does my work have to do with why I'm here?" Jeremiah said; "I have deadlines to meet and a family to raise. My wife works crazy hours at the hospital, and later this week, she's going to be on call for thirty-six hours. That means I have to get my ass home."

"I did find something, though," the Director said; "something you've probably forgotten about."

Jeremiah knew what the Director probably found, and he wasn't looking forward to having to explain to a virtual stranger about the circumstances surrounding it.

"My private life is just that, Director," Jeremiah said; "Private. I can't imagine what you've possibly found."

"A young woman you dated before your marriage to your wife started harrassing you, didn't she?" asked the Director.

"She claimed she had given birth to a child and that it was mine," Jeremiah said. "I agreed to have a DNA test run. I never heard from her again until about eight years ago when she said that her son wanted to meet me. When I asked why, she said because I was her son's father. She wanted me to have a DNA test done at that time, or she'd smear my name all over Chicago that I was a deadbeat dad. I told her that if it was that important, why didn't she get back in touch when I offered instead of waiting nearly ten years. I told my wife about it, and she offered to arrange a test between me and the boy I was told was mine. The woman refused. So I sued her for blackmailing me and won. Only my wife and I knew about that. My siblings don't know, my children don't know, and my friends and co-workers don't know, and I would like to keep it that way."

"I found the court papers about that case," the Director said; "it's a matter of public record. I can arrange to have them sealed, but you have to agree to work for the CIA."

"That's fucking blackmail!" Jeremiah cried. "You're no better than the woman who tried to get me to claim a child she knew wasn't mine!"

"True," the Director said; "but what about this recent incident with your daughter? Adriana, I believe her name is..."

"That was self defense!" exclaimed Jeremiah. "The man was trying to carjack her. She was defending herself and her sisters and brother."

"They're being targeted by this second Occupation group to get to you," the Director said; "I know as a parent, you'd want to protect them; Your wife is in more danger however."

"How so?" Oh, my God, they're after Jasmine, too? thought Jeremiah.

"There's a female group member posing as a nurse, whose assignment is to blackmail your wife about something from her childhood," the Director said; "Something that she and her siblings have no first hand knowledge of."

"This isn't about accusations made against her father for raping a female subordinate, is it?" asked Jeremiah; "Because that didn't happen, and it was proven during a military trial that the female subordinate lied to purposely discredit my father in law because she had tried to seduce him and he refused her advances."

"Yes, that's what it's about," the Director said; "this fake nurse will start a verbal altercation with your wife about it, claiming to be the daughter of the woman who made the accusations."

"Jasmine knew about what happened because it was one of the last things she and her father spoke about before he died two years ago," Jeremiah said. "Her father asked for her forgiveness, and she gave it. If anyone tries to pick a fight with Jasmine, she can and will shut them down."

"You can stop all that by working with us, Jeremiah," said the Director; "You can still keep working as a journalist while you're working for us. We'll inform your employer of your duty to your country."

"Nik and Julia, did they agree?" asked Jeremiah.

"Yes, they did."

"If they agreed, you must have had something earth shattering hanging over their heads," Jeremiah said; "But they're my sister and brother, and I support them one hundred ten percent. I will work for you, but only until this mess is taken care of."

"It's only for two years, Jeremiah," said the Director; "then you're free to go back to your own life."

Jeremiah's only thought was, Jasmine's going to kill me!

===
III


When Jeremiah was through filling out paperwork for his new employer (though he felt like he was coerced into it), he rejoined Nik and Julia in the waiting area.

"They get you, too, Jere?" asked Nik.

"Yep," said Jeremiah; "I found out that the big secret that only Jasmine and I know was a matter of public record this whole time. But yeah, they got me good."

Julia was silent, and had been silent the entire time she had been in the waiting area with Nik.

"Jules?" asked Jeremiah; "You okay, sis?"

Julia looked at Jeremiah, then at Nik, and shook her head no. "I feel like my whole world is going to change," she said, sounding like she was on the verge of tears.

"Come on, let's get out and meet the car that's taking us back to Tash's place," Nik said; "I think they're done fucking with us for right now."

They walked out to the spot where they had been dropped off nearly four hours before. The car was waiting for them at the curb. They got in and got lost in their thoughts on the ride back to Georgetown.

Julia was thinking of calling Jack to let him know that the CIA knows about his relationship to her and their daughter. That's what she was most upset about. She felt that she let both Miri and Jack down.

Nik was thinking about the bastards who caused his son's accident, and how he couldn't say anything to KateLynn about it because it was classified information.

Jeremiah was pissed that the Director asked for the notes he was taking during the first part of the meeting when the three of them were together. I'll get my information about this group with or without CIA's approval, he thought. And if it gets me fired, or gets me subpoena'd, I don't give a fuck.

===

Natasha wondered where they could be. She could only hold dinner for so long.

When they weren't back by 5pm, three hours after their appointment, she began to become alarmed. Dammit, she thought, they got caught in the Agency's web.

She called her kids, and Sandrina and Danica for dinner. "Mom, what's wrong?" her son Nik asked.

"Nothing you need to worry about, Nikolai," his mother said.

After dinner, while Sandrina and Danica were cleaning up the dishes, Vixen looked out the living room window and saw a car pull into their driveway.

"I think they're back, Mom," the girl said.

"Thanks, Vix," Natasha said; "Now go help your cousins with the dishes, okay love?"

"Yes, Mom."

When Julia, Nik and Jeremiah walked into the house, Natasha saw the looks on their faces and knew that they'd been successfully recruited by the Director. They were not happy about it, and that pissed Natasha off.

Dammit, Darren, she thought blackly; you and I are going to have words!

===